Measurement Ring For Fluid Flow In A Pipeline

ABSTRACT

A measurement ring for a pipeline includes a body having a central hole extending along a longitudinal axis of the body and at least one tap for measuring fluid flow parameters in the pipeline. The at least one tap includes a threaded portion on a circumferential surface of the body extending through the body towards the central hole, and a first channel extending from the threaded portion to the central hole.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention relates to a device used in oil, gas, and waterpipelines. More particularly, the present invention relates to ameasurement ring comprising one or more taps for accessing fluid flowwithin a pipeline and to a method for performing measurements via themeasurement ring.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Pipelines are used to transport fluids in various industries, includingchemical, oil and gas, and manufacturing. These industries use processesthat require fluid flow parameters, such as gas composition, pressure,temperature, viscosity, and the like, to be accurately measured.

Current methods for measuring flow within a pipeline include welding afitting or branch connection onto a pipe, for example a Thredolet® orWeldolet® from Bonney Forge®. However, there remains a need for anapparatus to allow efficient and cost effective gathering and measuringof fluid flow parameters within a pipeline.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A measurement ring for a pipeline according to a first embodiment of thepresent invention includes a body having a central hole extending alonga longitudinal axis of the body and at least one tap for measuring atleast one fluid flow parameter in the pipeline. The at least one tapcomprises a threaded portion on a circumferential surface of the bodyextending through the body towards the central hole and a first channelextending from the threaded portion to the central hole.

A measurement ring for a pipeline according to another embodimentfurther to any of the previous embodiments includes a second channelbranching off the first channel and extending through the body to athreaded portion of a second tap on the circumferential surface of thebody.

A measurement ring for a pipeline according to another embodimentfurther to any of the previous embodiments includes one or more ports orbores that accommodate equipment.

A measurement ring for a pipeline according to another embodimentfurther to any of the previous embodiments includes a body having aplurality of evenly spaced holes parallel to the central hole.

A pipe assembly according to an embodiment of the present inventionincludes a fluid flow pipe and a measurement ring according to any ofthe previous embodiments disposed in the fluid flow pipe in anorientation substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of thefluid flow pipe.

A method of measuring a fluid parameters within a fluid flow pipeincludes measuring a fluid within the fluid flow pipe with the least onetap of a measurement ring according to any of the previous embodiments.

An advantage of the measurement ring of the present invention is that itallows efficient and cost effective gathering and measuring of fluidflow parameters within a pipeline without having to cut into or tap apipe wall itself.

Another advantage of the measurement ring of the present invention isthat welding of the measurement ring onto a pipe is not required.

Another advantage of the present invention is that it allows for astandardized tap layout, which provides consistent readings that can beverified with baseline test data at a test lab using the same correctionfactor.

As used herein “substantially”, “relatively”, “generally”, “about”, and“approximately” are relative modifiers intended to indicate permissiblevariation from the characteristic so modified. They are not intended tobe limited to the absolute value or characteristic which it modifies butrather approaching or approximating such a physical or functionalcharacteristic.

In the detailed description, references to “one embodiment”, “anembodiment”, or “in embodiments” mean that the feature being referred tois included in at least one embodiment of the invention. Moreover,separate references to “one embodiment”, “an embodiment”, or “inembodiments” do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment; however,neither are such embodiments mutually exclusive, unless so stated, andexcept as will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art. Thus,the invention can include any variety of combinations and/orintegrations of the embodiments described herein.

Given the following enabling description of the drawings, the methodsand systems should become evident to a person of ordinary skill in theart.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A illustrates a cut-away front view of a first side of ameasurement ring according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 1B illustrates a side view of the measurement ring according toFIG. 1A.

FIG. 1C illustrates a perspective view of the measurement ring accordingto FIG. 1A showing a partial phantom interior view.

FIG. 2A illustrates a cut-away front view of a first side of ameasurement ring according to another embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 2B illustrates a side view of the measurement ring according toFIG. 2A.

FIG. 2C illustrates a perspective view of the measurement ring accordingto FIG. 2A showing a partial phantom interior view.

FIG. 2D illustrates a schematic cut-away front view of the measurementring similar to FIG. 2A showing a valve on a tap.

FIG. 3 illustrates a schematic view of a fluid flow pipe with ameasurement ring attached.

Given the following enabling description of the drawings, the methodsand systems should become evident to a person of ordinary skill in theart.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The measurement ring according to the present invention may be utilizedfor measuring flow parameters, for example, in oil, gas, or waterpipelines. The measurement ring comprises at least one tap that isintegral with the measurement ring. Thus, the at least one tap may bemachined or drilled out of the same material as the measurement ring andis physically part of the measurement ring. The at least one tap is notseparately attached or connected to the measurement ring, for example,via a weld, adhesive, or other connection. Moreover, the measurementring itself does not have to be welded onto a pipeline.

According to the present invention, a measurement ring comprises a bodyhaving a central hole extending along a longitudinal axis of the body.The measurement ring may be bolted onto a pipe at any desire location,for example, in a metering run, at the end of a metering run, betweenseparators, or between flanges, orifice plate fitting or orifice flangeunions. The measurement ring is sized or selected so that the centralhole has a diameter substantially the same as an inner pipe diameter ofthe fluid flow pipe to which it is connected. In specific embodiments,the central hole may have a diameter of about 2 inches to 24 inches, forexample, 4 inches to 16 inches.

According to the present invention, the measurement ring has at leastone tap for accessing and measuring fluid within the central hole andtherefore within a fluid flow pipeline. The at least one tapcomprises 1) a threaded portion on a circumferential surface of themeasurement ring extending towards the central hole and 2) a firstchannel extending from the threaded portion to the central hole, or inthe event of multiple taps, may also include a connection to anotherchannel. The at least one tap may be configured to comply with NationalPipe Thread (NPT) or other industry standard connections.

In a specific embodiment, the at least one tap may comprise a pressuretap comprising a tube or sleeve that is connected to a pressure readingdevice or pressure gauge via an electronic line or wireless connectionand is capable of taking pressure measurements of fluid flow within apipeline.

In a specific embodiment, the at least one tap may be configured so thatit can accommodate a valve, such as a needle valve, to block one or morechannels.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the measurementring may have two or more taps, for example 3-8 taps. Thus, in additionto the at least one tap noted above, the measurement ring may comprise asecond channel branching off the first channel and extending through thebody to a threaded portion of a second tap. Likewise, the measurementring may comprise a third channel branching off the first channel andextending through the body to a threaded portion of a third tap.Additional taps may be configured to tap the second channel or the thirdchannel, respectively.

According to the present invention, the measurement ring may also haveone or more ports or bores that can accommodate equipment including, butnot limited to, a thermowell, a temperature probe, a transducer, sensor,ultrasonic meter, gauges, or any combination thereof. In a specificembodiment, the equipment may be connected to a measurement device viaan electronic line or wireless connection and is capable of takingmeasurements of fluid flow within a pipeline. The one or more ports orbores may be larger in size that the at least one tap and may be locatedon a bottom portion of the measurement ring.

In embodiments, the measurement ring may have holes extendinglongitudinally through the body and parallel to the central hole forattaching the measurement ring to a pipe. For example, the measurementring may have a plurality of evenly-spaced bolt holes.

The measurement ring, at least one tap and channels, may be configuredin specific embodiments to pressures corresponding to American NationalStandards Institute (ANSI) Pressure Class No. 150 to 900. Themeasurement ring may be of any suitable dimensions. In a specificembodiment, the measurement ring may have a width (diameter) of about 5to 30 inches, for example 7 to 10 inches, and a length of about 2 to 10inches, for example, 4 to 6 inches.

As shown in FIG. 1A, a measurement ring 100 according to one embodimentof the present invention comprises a body having a central hole 105 anda first tap 110 having a threaded portion 115 on a circumferentialsurface of the measurement ring extending towards the central hole and achannel 120 extending from the threaded portion 115 to the central hole105.

A second tap 125 comprises a second channel 130 branching off the firstchannel 120 and extending through the body to a threaded portion 135 ofthe second tap 125. A third tap 140 comprises a third channel 145branching off the first channel 120 and extending through the body to athreaded portion 150 of the third tap. Additional fourth and fifth taps155, 160 are configured to tap the second channel 130 or the thirdchannel 145, respectively, and have a similar threaded portion/channelstructure. Sixth and seventh taps 165, 170 have the same structure asthe first tap and extended from respective threaded portions andchannels to the central hole 105.

FIG. 1B illustrates a side view of the measurement ring according toFIG. 1A. FIG. 1C illustrates a perspective view of the measurement ringaccording to FIG. 1A showing a partial phantom interior view.

As shown in FIG. 2A, a measurement ring 200 according to anotherembodiment of the present invention comprises a body having a centralhole 205 and a first tap 210 having a threaded portion 215 on acircumferential surface of the measurement ring extending towards thecentral hole and a channel 220 extending from the threaded portion 215to the central hole 205.

A second tap 225 comprises a second channel 230 branching off the firstchannel 220 and extending through the body to a threaded portion 235 ofthe second tap 225. A third tap 240 comprises a third channel 245branching off the first channel 220 and extending through the body to athreaded portion 250 of the third tap 240. Additional fourth and fifthtaps 255, 260 are configured to tap the second channel 230 or the thirdchannel 245, respectively, and have a similar threaded portion/channelstructure.

The measurement ring 200 includes two ports or bores, 265, 270 that caneach accommodate equipment. The measurement ring 200 also comprises aplurality of holes 275, e.g., bolt holes, for bolting the measurementring onto a pipe at any desired location.

FIG. 2B illustrates a side view of the measurement ring according toFIG. 2A. FIG. 2C illustrates a perspective view of the measurement ringaccording to FIG. 2A showing a partial phantom interior view.

FIG. 2D illustrates a schematic front view of the measurement ringsimilar to FIG. 2A in which corresponding structures have the samereference numerals. Valve 280 of top tap 210 is capable of blockingfirst channel 220, second channel 230, third channel 245, or anycombination thereof.

FIG. 3 illustrates a schematic view of a fluid flow pipe according toone embodiment of the present invention with a measurement ring 300attached. The measurement ring 300 is installed downstream of flow meter305. The measurement ring may be at any distance downstream of meter305, for example 1 D to 10 D, or 2 D to 5 D, where D is the internalpipe diameter. There may also be a separate flow conditioner 310upstream of flow meter 305. Suitable flow conditioners include, but arenot limited to, CPA TBR, CPA 50E, CPA 55E®, CPA 60E®, CPA 65E® flowconditioners, available from Canada Pipeline Accessories, Inc. ofCalgary, Canada.

Although the present invention has been described in terms of particularexemplary and alternative embodiments, it is not limited to thoseembodiments. Alternative embodiments, examples, and modifications whichwould still be encompassed by the invention may be made by those skilledin the art, particularly in light of the foregoing teachings.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that various adaptations andmodifications of the exemplary and alternative embodiments describedabove can be configured without departing from the scope and spirit ofthe invention. Therefore, it is to be understood that, within the scopeof the appended claims, the invention may be practiced other than asspecifically described herein.

1. A measurement ring, comprising: a body having a central holeextending along a longitudinal axis of the body; and at least one tapfor measuring at least one fluid flow parameter in the pipeline, said atleast one tap comprising: a threaded portion on a circumferentialsurface of the body extending through the body towards the central hole,and a first channel extending from the threaded portion to the centralhole, wherein the measurement ring is configured to be fitted within apipeline.
 2. The measurement ring according to claim 1, furthercomprising: a second channel branching off the first channel andextending through the body to a threaded portion of a second tap on thecircumferential surface of the body.
 3. The measurement ring accordingto claim 2, further comprising: a third channel branching off the firstchannel and extending through the body to a threaded portion of a thirdtap on the circumferential surface of the body.
 4. The measurement ringaccording to claim 3, further comprising: a fourth tap comprising athreaded portion on a circumferential surface of the body and a fourthchannel extending from the threaded portion to the second or thirdchannel.
 5. The measurement ring according to claim 4, furthercomprising: a fifth tap comprising a threaded portion on acircumferential surface of the body and a fifth channel extending fromthe threaded portion to the second or third channel.
 6. The measurementring according to claim 1, wherein the at least one tap comprises apressure tap capable of taking pressure measurements of fluid flowwithin a pipeline.
 7. The measurement ring according to claim 1, furthercomprising: one or more ports or bores that accommodate equipment. 8.The measurement ring according to claim 7, wherein the equipmentincludes at least one of a thermowell, a temperature probe, atransducer, sensor, ultrasonic meter, and gauges.
 9. The measurementring according to claim 1, wherein said body further comprises at leastone hole parallel to the central hole.
 10. The measurement ringaccording to claim 9, wherein said body comprises a plurality ofevenly-spaced holes parallel to the central hole for receiving bolts.11. The measurement ring according to claim 1, wherein the at least onetap comprises a valve for blocking at least one channel.
 12. Themeasurement ring according to claim 1, wherein the central hole has adiameter of about 2 inches to 24 inches.
 13. A pipe assembly for flowmeasurement, comprising: a fluid flow pipe of a pipeline; and ameasurement ring according to claim 1 integrated with said fluid flowpipe in an orientation substantially perpendicular to a longitudinalaxis of said fluid flow pipe.
 14. The pipe assembly according to claim13, wherein said measurement ring is bolted onto the fluid flow pipe sothat there is no cut or weld connection on the fluid flow pipe wall. 15.The pipe assembly according to claim 14, wherein said measurement ringis bolted onto the fluid flow pipe at a position selected from the groupconsisting of in a metering run, at the end of a metering run, betweenseparators, between flanges, between orifice plate fittings and betweenor orifice flange unions.
 16. The pipe assembly according to claim 13,further comprising: a flow meter, wherein said measurement ring isdownstream of the flow meter.
 17. The pipe assembly according to claim16, further comprising: a flow conditioner upstream of the flow meter.18. The pipe assembly according to claim 13, wherein said measurementring is sized so that the central hole has a diameter substantially thesame as an inner pipe diameter of the fluid flow pipe.
 19. The pipeassembly according to claim 13, wherein the central hole has a diameterof about 2 inches to 24 inches.
 20. A method of measuring at least onefluid parameter within a fluid flow pipe comprising: measuring a fluidwithin the fluid flow pipe with at least one tap of a measurement ringaccording to claim
 1. 21. The measurement ring according to claim 1,wherein an entirety of the at least one tap is integrated within themeasurement ring.
 22. The measurement ring according to claim 21,wherein the at least one tap comprises a valve for blocking at least onechannel.
 23. The measurement ring according to claim 1, wherein thecentral hole is unobstructed across the diameter of the central holealong an entirety of the longitudinal axis of the body.